A CAMPAIGN to ban hunting with dogs in Britain has been backed by a local MP, who has made it his new year's resolution to help push new legislation through Parliament.

With a Bill to ban hunting currently on its way to becoming law in Scotland, calls from animal rights groups in the rest of the UK to follow suit are being made to the House of Commons.

Now Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall believes the "the vast majority" of locals back the campaign for a ban.

He said: "The overwhelming majority of MPs have repeatedly voted for a ban only to see it blocked by the Lords. Now is the time to introduce a new Bill with the appropriate Government time and support to ensure it cannot be stopped by such undemocratic tactics again."

Mr Hall's resolution backs the animal rights group Campaigning to Protect Hunted Animals (CPHA), which is the result of combined work by the RSPCA, League Against Cruel Sports and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

John Rolls, from CPHA, said: "It would certainly be a great year for animals if hunting with dogs is banned. We are grateful for the support of MPs who are determined to end this cruelty. With the ban legislation already under way in Scotland, there has never been a better year to see it ended in the rest of Britain.